Programmable switching assemblage



1966 A. A. HAGSTROM I PROGRAMMABLE SWITCHING ASSEMBLAC'E Filed April 25,1964 INVENTOR ARTHUR A. HAGSTLijQOM BY ATTORNEY United States Patent()3,264,418 PROGRAMMABLE SWITCHING ASSEMBLAGE Arthur A. Hagstrom, HoffmanEstates, Roselle, Ill.,

assignor to Teletype Corporation, Skolrie, Ill., a corporation ofDelaware Filed Apr. 23, 1964, Ser. No. 362,031 Claims. (Cl. 200-1) Thisinvention relates to electrical switching assemblages and moreparticularly to a switching assemblage which is manufactured in a commonconfiguration and can be modified to perform different functions.

In a switching arrangement wherein a plurality of switch members, whichserve as swingers of contact pairs, is arranged to extend perpendicularto a plurality of actuating members, it is often desirable to operateonly selected ones of the contact pairs by any given mechanicalactuator. Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to providea common switch assemblage which may be custom modified or programmed toeffect the operations which the switch assemblage is to perform.

In controlling the operation of an electromechanical machine in responseto a plurality of mechanical actuators, it is common practice to use aplurality of switches each individual to an actuator and to connectthese switches in series or in parallel. If such a machine is to beoperated in different modes according to the different needs ofdifferent users of the machine, completely different connections betweenthe switches are necessary and several otherwise identical devicesrequire completely different wiring and switching arrangements; but whenthe actuators are located close to each other, it is possible to performall of the different controlling operations of the machine with a commonswitch assemblage if the common switching arrangement can be modified orprogrammed to perform the several tasks required by the several userswith this same common arrangement of switches and wiring.

It is also an object of this invention to simplify the construction ofswitches which selectively make and break a plurality of contacts fromcommon actuators.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a multiple-contactelectrical switch which may be readily arranged or programmed to operateits contacts in selected patterns.

In accordance with the preferred embodiment of the invention, pairs of aplurality of terminals are bridged by associated conductive wires whichare spring-urged onto the terminals. Uniform extensions from the ends ofthese wires are actuatable by any one of a plurality of mechanicalactuating bars which extend perpendicular to the wires and theirextensions. These extensions are then cut back to permit operation byany given mechanical actuator bar of only those wires having extensionswhich extend into the path of that bar. Thus, a common contactassemblage can be programmed by severing contact wire extensions toprovide many different modes of switch operation.

A more complete understanding of the invention may be had by consideringthe following description in conjunction with the accompanying drawingswherein:

FIGS. 1 through 4 show switch assemblages, all made from the same basicassemblage which have had their extensions severed at selected places toprovide different arrangements of the extensions of the wires to controldifferent modes of operation of a controlled device;

FIG. 5 shows a circuit which may be operated by any one of the differentarrangements shown in FIGS. 1 to 4.

In the drawings, wherein like reference numerals designate the sameparts throughout the several views, particular reference being had toFIG. 1, there is shown a rotatable shaft 11 having a handle 12 wherebyit may be manually rotated. A projection 24 on shaft 11 engages a notch25 in a detent lever 20 which is urged downwardly about a pivot 21 by aspring 22. The notch 25 and projection 24 urge shaft 11 to return to aneutral position whenever shaft 11 is manually rotated away from theneutral position as shown in the drawing. A plurality of terminals 30 to37, inclusive, are arranged on opposite sides of the shaft 11 forcooperation with conductive wires 38 to 41 which extend from terminals30 through 33, and over terminals 34 to 37, respectively. Springs to 53,inclusive, urge the wires 38 to 41 to rotate about terminals 30 to 33 tomake electrical contact with fixed terminals 34 to 37 forming aplurality of electrical switches.

A cam 42 formed on shaft 11 has two cam lobes 4'5 and 46 which areengageable with wires 38 and 39, respectively. Cam lobe 45 is angularlyso positioned on shaft 11 that in the neutral position of shaft 11, camlobe 45 does not engage wire 38 and wire 38 bridges terminals 30 and 34to form a normally closed switch. Lobe 46 of cam 42, however, ispositioned to engage wire 39 in the neutral position of shaft 11 and tohold wire 39, against the urging of its spring 51, out of engage mentwith terminal 35 to form a normally-open switch. Since cam 42 does nothave any lobes on shaft 11 in the area of wires 40 and 41, these wireswith their associated terminals form normally closed switches. Wires 38through 41 are all manufactured with extensions which project beyondtheir associated fixed terminals 34 through 37 and are engageable bymechanical actuating bars 80 and 81. However, in the assemblage shown inFIG. 1, portions of these wires have been removed and are shown dotted.This provides a switching arrangement wherein movement of bar 81 in thedirection of the arrows will open only the normally closed switch formedby wire 41 and the movement of bar 80 in the direction of the arrowswill open the normally closed switch formed by wire 40 and preventmanual closure of the normally open switch formed by wire 39 upon manualcounterclockwise rotation of shaft 11.

Such a switching arrangement is particularly useful in controlling aperforated tape transmitter of the type disclosed in Patent No.3,150,234, granted to L. C. Anderson et al. on September 22, 1964, andhaving a switching arrangement like that disclosed in Patent No.3,146,306,

granted to L C. Anderson et al. on August 25, 1964. The tape transmitteddescribed in Patent No. 3,150,234, dated September 22, 1964, is operatedupon the energization of a single distributor clutch trip magnet; FIG. 5shows a control circuit for operating such a single magnet in vari ousmodes according to this invention. A magnet 54 such as the distributorclutch trip magnet of Patent No. 3,150,234 dated September 22, 1964 isconnected in a circuit consisting of a power source 61, magnet 54, thenormally closed switch consisting of terminals 32 and 36 bridged by wire40 and normally open relay contacts 60. When relay contacts areoperated, magnet 54 is energized until relay contacts 60 are againopened or wire 40 is moved away from terminal 36. Relay contacts 60 formpart of a reader control relay and are operated when relay coil 62 isenergized. Relay coil 62 is energized through a circuit consisting ofpower source 71; normallyclosed switch '70; the normally-closed switchof wire 38; either the normally-open switch 65, the normally-open switchof wire 39, or holding contacts 66; relay coil 62; and thenormally-closed switch of wire 41 back to power source 71.

Relay coil 62 is energizable by closure of normally-open switch whichcompletes a circuit from power source 71 through normally-closed switch70, the normally-closed switch of wire 38, normally-open, now closed,switch 65, relay coil 62, and the normally-closed switch of wire 41 backto power source 71. When the armature associated Patented August 2, 1966with relay coil 62 pulls up, holding contacts 66 are closed as well asrelay contacts 60. Since holding contacts 66 are connected in parallelwith normally-open switch 65, switch 65 need only be closed momentarilyto energize relay 62.

The magnet :54 may also be energized by moving handle 12 of FIG. 1 tothe left which rotates shaft 11 counterclockwise. Handle 12 and shaft 11correspond to lever 144 and shaft 145 of the copending application ofAnderson et al. Serial No. 231,199. Counterclockwise rotation of shaft11 rotates cam lobe 46 downwardly permitting wire 39 to rotate aboutterminal 31 under the urging of its spring 51 and to make contact withterminal 35. This causes energization of relay coil 62 in FIG. 5 in thesame way that the closure of normally-open switch 65 caused energizationof the relay coil since switch 65 and the normally-open switch of wire39 are connected in parallel. Again, immediately upon the energizationof relay coil 62 and the consequent closure of holding contacts 66,relay 62 will lock operated as previously described although handle 12is released to permit shaft 11 to rotate clockwise and return to itsneutral position under the urging of spring 22 operating through detentlever 20 with notch 25 on projection 24 of the shaft 11.

Whenever contacts 66 are operated, shunting normallyopen switch 65 andthe normally-open switch of the wire 39, relay contacts 60 are operated,switches of wires 38 and 41 and switch 70 having been closed. With relaycontacts 60 operated and the normally-closed switch of wire 40 notoperated, power source 61 energizes magnet 54. The energization ofmagnet 54 then starts operation of the transmitter disclosed in PatentNo. 3,150,234 dated September 22, 1964.

Patent No. 3,150,234 dated September 22, 1964 also shows a tight-tapearm 180 which moves upwardly indicating a tight-tape condition wheneverthe supply of tape to the transmitter is not free. The transmitter mustthen stop until there is an adequate supply of tape provided. Actuatorarm 80 of FIG. 1 corresponds to the tight-tape arm 180 of Patent No.3,150,234 dated September 22, 1964. When actuator arm 80 moves upwardlyin the direction of the arrows, it opens the normally-closed switch ofwire 40 which opens the energizing circuit of magnet 54 in FIG. 5. Wires38 to 41 of FIGS. 1 to 4 correspond to wires 171, 172, and 173 of PatentNo. 3,150,234, dated September 22, 1964, with a fourth identical Wire.When magnet 54 is deenergized, the transmitter stops; and when anadequate tape supply is available to the tape transmitter, actuator arm80 moves downwardly permitting wire 40 to rotate under the urging of itsspring 52 around terminal 32 and make contact with terminal 36. Magnet54 is thus reenergized and remains energized so long as relay contact 60is operated and the switch of wire 40 is closed.

The transmitter disclosed in Patent No. 3,150,234 dated September 22,1964, also has a tape-out arm 181 which moves upwardly when there is nolonger any tape in the transmitter. Actuator arm 81 of FIG. 1corresponds to that tape-out arm 181; and when actuator arm 81 movesupwardly, it raises wire 41 against its spring 53 away fromfixed'terminal 37. This opens the energizing circuit for relay coil 62in FIG. 5. When relay coil 62 is deenergized, relay contacts 60 andrelay holding contacts 66 will be opened. The opening of relay contacts60 deenergizes magnet 54, stopping the transmitter. When holdtingcontacts 66 are opened, relay coil 62 no longer has an energizing patheven after the switch of wire 41 has been closed by inserting more tapein the transmitter and lowering actuator arm 81. Normally-open switch 65or the normally-open switch of Wire 39 must be closed, at leastmomentarily, in order to reenergize the magnet 54.

Magnet 54 can be manually deenergized by moving handle 12 in FIG. 1 tothe right which rotates shaft 11 clockwise raising cam lobe 45sufficiently to lift wire 38 against the urging of its spring 50 off ofterminal 34.

This opens the normally-closed switch of wire 38 in FIG. 5 breaking theenergizing circuit for relay coil 62 in the same way as opening thenormally closed switch of wire 41.

When actuator arm is raised, it prevents closure of the switch of wire39 even though cam lobe 46 moves downwardly thus preventing a manualstart of the transmitter. In addition, actuator arm 80 will also openthe switch of wire 40 preventing the closure of relay contacts 60 fromenergizing the magnet 54. When actuator arm 81 is raised, it opens theswitch of wire 41 which prevents passage of any energizing current torelay coil 62.

The arrangement of severed wires shown in FIG. 1 temporarily stops thetransmitter upon a tight-tape condition with the transmitter restartingimmediately upon relieving that condition and permanently stops thetransmitter upon a tape-out condition with the transmitter remainingstopped until the condition is relieved and either switch 65 or theswitch of wire 39 is closed. To obtain different modes of operation ofthis transmitter, wires 38 through 41 can be severed or programmed indifferent arrangements as shown in FIGS. 2, 3, and 4.

In FIG. 2 an assemblage is shown wherein some of the wires 38 to 41 havebeen severed or programmed to provide for only temporary stopping oftransmission from the transmitter upon a tape-out condition, 'but apermanent stopping of transmission upon a tight-tape condition. This isthe reverse of the program performed by the arrangement shown in FIG. 1since wire 41 has been shortened whereas wires 38, 39, and 40 arelonger. Raising the tight-tape actuator arm 80 opens the switches ofwires 38 and 40 but does not effect the switch of wire 39 since wire 39is normally held open by cam lobe 46. When the switch of wire 38 opens,it breaks the energization circuit of relay coil 62. However, theraising of tape-out actuator arm 81 opens only the normally-closedswitch of wire 40 which only temporarily stops transmission until thetape-out condition has been rectified and tape-out actuator arm 81 hasbeen lowered completing the energizing circuit for magnet 54 through thenormally closed switch of wire 40.

In FIG. 3, the wires have been programmed to provide for only temporarystopping of transmission upon occurrence of either a tape-out or atight-tape condition. It will be noted that the only difference betweenFIG. 2 and FIG. 3 is that wire 38 is shorter, eliminating the permanentstopping of transmission upon a tight-tape condition.

FIG. 4 shows the same wires but programmed to provide for permanentlystopping transmission upon either a tight-tape or a tape-out conditionsince :wire 38 has been left at its full length and opens the energizingcircuit for relay coil 62 upon the raising of either the tape-outactuator arm 81 or the tight-tape actuator arm 80.

It can be seen that to obtain a control circuit which permits thesewidely divergent modes of operation with the present invention, all ofthe parts can be mass produced on a single assembly line and a stockmaintained of only a single type of unit, thus reducing the number anddiversity of warehoused stock. The specific mode of operation desired byan individual customer is then programmed into his units from the commonproduction model at any time before installation with consequent savingsin time, cost, investment capital, and production fixtures.

Although only four of the many possible programs have been shown in thedrawings and described in the foregoing specification, it will beunderstood that the invention is not limited to the specific embodimentsdescribed, but is capable of modification and rearrangement andsubstitution of parts and elements without departing from the spirit ofthe invention.

What is claimed is:

1. A switching assemblage comprising:

a plurality of movable contact wires including at least one of adifferent length than at least one other,

a pair of fixed terminals individual to each contact wire to be bridgedand electrically interconnected by the wire,

means for biasing each contact wire for engagement with its associatedpair of fixed terminals, and

an actuator extending transversely of the contact wires and disposedbeyond the end of a shorter one of the wires for disengaging only alonger one of the contact wires from at least one of the terminals ofits associated pair.

2. A switching assemblage comprising:

a plurality of movable contact wires including at least one of adifferent length than at least one other,

a pair of fixed terminals individual to each contact wire to be bridgedand electrically interconnected by the wire,

means for biasing each contact wire for engagement with its associatedpair 0t fixed terminals, and

at least two individually operable actuators, each disposed in operativerelation to at least one of said contact Wires at a point thereofoutside the portion bridging its associated pair of fixed terminals, fordisengaging at least said one of the contact wires from at least one ofthe terminals of its associated pair.

3. A switching assemblage comprising:

a plurality of movable contact wires including at least one of adifferent length than at least one other,

a pair of fixed terminals individual to each contact wire to be bridgedand electrically interconnected by the wire,

means for biasing each contact wire for engagement with its associatedpair of fixed terminals, and

at least two individually operable actuators extending transversely ofthe contact wires at points thereof outside the portions bridging theirassociated pairs of fixed terminals in a coordinate pattern of selectivecrosspoint engagement of actuators with contact wires for interruptingthe electrical interconnections between fixed terminals of the pairs.

4. A switching assemblage comprising:

a plurality of movable contact wires including at least one of adifferent length than at least one other,

a pair of fixed terminals individual to each contact wire to be bridgedand electrically interconnected by the wire,

means for biasing each contact wire for engagement with its associatedpair of fixed terminals, and

at least two individually operable actuators extending transversely ofthe contact wires and disposed beyond the end of a shorter one of thewires but in operative relation to a longer one of the contact wires fordisengaging only the longer wire from at least one of the contacts ofits associated pair.

5. A switching assemblage comprising:

a plurality of movable contact wires including at least one of each ofthree different lengths,

a pair of fixed terminals individual to each contact wire to be bridgedand electrically interconnected by the wire,

means for biasing each contact wire into engagement with its associatedpair of fixed terminals,

a first actuator extending transversely of the contact wires anddisposed beyond the end of the shortest of the wires for disengagingfrom at least one of the terminals of their respective pairs each of twoother contact wires differing in length from each other and from theshortest contact wire, and

a second actuator disposed beyond the first actuator relative to the endof the shortest contact wire for disengaging from one of the terminalsof its associated pair the longer of the contact wires operable by thefirst actuator.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS ROBERT K.SOHAEFER, Primary Examiner.

KATHLEEN H. CLAFFY, Examiner.

M. GINSBURG, Assistant Examiner,

1. A SWITCHING ASSEMBLAGE COMPRISING: A PLURALITY OF MOVABLE CONTACT WIRES INCLUDING AT LEAST ONE OF A DIFFERENT LENGTH THAN AT LEAST ONE OTHER, A PAIR OF FIXED TERMINALS INDIVIDUAL TO EACH CONTACT WIRE TO BE BRIDGED AND ELECTRICALLY INTERCONNECTED BY THE WIRE, MEANS FOR BIASING EACH CONTACT WIRE FOR ENGAGEMENT WITH ITS ASSOCIATED PAIR OF FIXED TERMINALS, AND 